Author: Julie Raffa

Introit Psalm 19:1, 4c, 5–6; antiphon: Isaiah 45:8a, b
Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down | righteousness;* let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may | bear fruit. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his | handiwork.* In them he has set a tent | for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his | chamber,* and, like a strong man, runs its | course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the | end of them,* and there is nothing hidden | from its heat. Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down | righteousness;* let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may | bear fruit.
Salutation and Collect of the Day
Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Old Testament Reading 2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16 1Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” 3And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”
4But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, 5“Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. 7In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ 8Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. . . . 16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”
Gradual Zechariah 9:9; Psalm 118:26, alt.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation. Blessèd is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.
Epistle Romans 16:25–27 25Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Holy Gospel Luke 1:26–38 26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Announcements
Cable Worship Schedule Pilgrim’s Sunday 8:00 a.m. Divine Service is broadcast on WB 987 and AT&T Uverse 99 multiple times during the week: Sundays: 6:00 a.m. Mondays: 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays: 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. Wednesdays: 4:00 p.m. Bible Study, Thursdays: 4:00 p.m. This service is also live streamed and archived on the church’s YouTube channel:
Pilgrim Lutheran Church- West Bend, WI
Please Note:
The Children’s Christmas Service for this year has been cancelled.
Sunday School and Catechism classes will resume January 3rd and January 6, 2021.
Masks are requested to be worn in the building during services and classes to prevent further spread of the Corona virus. Thank you
The Christmas and New Years services listed in the Coming up at Pilgrim section.
The Christmas Shoppe will be open between and after services on today.
2021 Envelopes are ready for pickup in the Cry room, please pick yours up today. Remember DO NOT use them until 2021. Thank you.

4th Sunday in Advent
Divine Service
Lutheran Service Book: Page:
Liturgy: Setting 3 184
Hymns:
The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came 356
O Come, O Come Emmanuel 357
Communion Hymns:
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep 621
The Infant Priest 624
Lord Jesus Christ, Life- 625
Jesus Christ, Our Blessed 627
Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord 352
Scripture Readings:
Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16
Epistle: Romans 16: 25-27
Gospel: Luke 1: 26-38
In our prayers, we remember:
X all who live under the flag of our nation,
X law enforcement officers and their families,
X military personal and their families,
X those isolated from family and friends,
X those struggling with health issues: Randy Frank, Bill & Bev. Schepp, Phyllis Laabs Darkow, Cheryl Thill, Keith Gierach, Ruth Mertz, Richard & Chloe Fisher, Judy Clark, Joyce Virchow, Jerry & Gert Sullivan, Carolyn Bren, Lois Pritzlaff, Orville Heckendorf, Donna Sommer, Kandie Darmody, Tracey Leffin-Hedrick, June Fry, Elaine Kuenzel, Louise Kreis, Diane Behrens, Jennifer Jensen
X pastors, missionaries, and those who serve God’s people with the gifts of Christ,
X Christians persecuted for the confession of the faith, and especially we remember
X all who have forsaken the faith, that they may be restored to gladness of heart and be made wise to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Preacher: Rev. Christopher Raffa
Liturgist: Rev. Joseph Fisher
Elder: Tanner Schmidt, Gary Jenovai
Organists: Samuel Grosskreuz

Coming Up at Pilgrim
Sunday, December 20:
8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Divine Service
9:30 a.m. Adult Class: Small Catechism
12:30 p.m. Bible Study: Galatians
Monday, December 21:
Tuesday, December 22:
Wednesday, December 23:
6:30 p.m. Adult Class: Lutheran Difference
Thursday, December 24:
6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Divine Service
10:00 p.m. Lessons & Carols
Friday, December 25:
Office Closed
9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Divine Service
Sunday, December 27:
8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Divine Service
9:30 a.m. Adult Class: Small Catechism
12:30 p.m. Adult Class: Galatians
Thursday, December 31:
6:00 p.m. New Years Eve Divine Service
Friday, January 1:
Office Closed
9:00 a.m. New Years Day Divine Service
Saturday, January 9:
7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study

2020 Giving Report
The Giving Report will be updated in the January Pilgrim Herald.

4th Sunday in Advent
December 20, 2020
37For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37
Welcome and blessings to you through our Lord Jesus Christ!
We welcome all who gather with us around the Altar and Pulpit to hear the Word of God. If you are visiting, we are happy that you could join us today. Please sign the guest book in the narthex and fill out one of the pew cards and pass it in with the offering plate to leave a record of your visit.
Communion Statement: By the design and specific warning of our Lord Jesus Christ in His Word, the precious gift of the Lord’s Body and Blood is to be shared with His blessing only with those prepared to take it rightly. (1 Cor 11:23-32) At the first communion our Lord did not commune all believers, but only those who had been instructed by Him daily for three years. The custom of our church is to offer the Sacrament only to confirmed members of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. So that our pastors would faithfully fulfill their obligations, (1 Cor 4:1; Heb 13:17; 1 Cor 11:27), all first-time visitors should speak to one of the pastors prior to communing. Our pastors are eager and available to provide instruction leading to a right and salutary reception our Lord’s holy Body and Blood, so that in the future you may join us in the blessing of this sacrament.

Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
462 Meadowbrook Drive, West Bend, WI 53090
(262) 334-0375 www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org